A Player for A Princess

“Leaving?” Cal is with us, handing me a glass of sparkling pink soda with a cherry. I move to his side, holding his arm and avoiding Logan’s gaze. “Where are you going?”

Logan’s voice is all business. “I was thinking France… Italy, perhaps.”

“What?” All joking is gone from Cal’s voice as well. “Why would you do that? We need you here. Does Rowan know about this?”

“I haven’t discussed it with anyone yet,” Logan says, and I step away, moving closer to the dancers so they can talk in private.

The awkwardness of the situation, realizing he’s probably seen Cal and me making love, is a bit overwhelming, especially in view of Cal’s tease that Logan might have feelings for me. I don’t want to believe he does. I don’t like reading meaning into situations…

“Such a troubled face on such a beautiful lady.” An older voice addresses me, and when I look up, a little yelp squeaks from my throat.

A man in a sinister golden skull mask with black holes at the eyes and nose looms over me. On the forehead is a strange, round symbol, and the straight teeth are yellowed and awful.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” His voice is low, and he’s wearing a gold damask suit with a black cape.

My heart is flying in my chest, but I clear my throat. “No—not at all.” I do a little bow, trying to regain my composure. “I’m not troubled, thank you.”

I start to move away, but he steps forward, pulling me to his chest roughly. “Let’s share a dance, and you can tell me why you’re sad. I have powers. I can make the bastard pay.”

His words are a growly hiss, and the creepy skull moves closer to my face. Small words are painted around the temples and over the brow bones in a rust color like blood.

“Who are you supposed to be?” I don’t miss the tremor in my voice.

“I’m the Triskel skull. I can see inside your mind.” His eyes widen in the dark sockets, and I can’t tell if he’s trying to tease me or terrify me. He’s succeeding at the latter.

“It’s very… unusual,” I manage.

We move side to side, and his eyes hold mine in a steely, angry gaze. I swallow forcefully, ready to pull away when he speaks again.

“You think you’ve beaten me, but you’re wrong.” The voice is no longer disguised, and with a jerk, I know who it is. “I always win.”

“Wade Paxton!” All I can think is protect myself, protect the baby! I struggle against him. I’m breathing too fast, and I can’t g

et away.

“That little finger cut was only a tease. Have they told you what was done to Mr. Hines?” My entire body is shaking, and I’m afraid I might throw up. “You are never safe from me, Zelda Wilder.”

“Let me GO!” I scream, but my words are lost in the blast of the music.

He holds me a beat longer before dropping his arms and backing into the crowd. Revelers close around him like a sea, and I realize what’s happening. He’s getting away! Wade Paxton is in Monagasco, and we have to capture him before he disappears again!

“STOP!” I scream. “Stop that man!”

The music is too loud, and only the people around us have bothered to look. I’m in these stupid fourteenth-century shoes, and my head doesn’t reach the shoulders of many of the guests. I try to push through them. I have to stop him.

“Zelda! What’s going on?” With a little cry, I turn to see Reggie standing beside me. He’s wearing a long, satin tunic and pants. A turban is on his head, and his mask is off. His skin is bronzed, and he has an Aladdin-style beard attached to his chin.

“Paxton is here!” I grab his shirtfront. “He was just here threatening me! He disappeared into the crowd that way!”

I’m pointing and gasping, and Cal returns to my side. “Zee!” He holds my arm. “Breathe, Zee, tell me what happened.”

His words are in my head, and tears coat my cheeks. I’m trembling and weak, and I feel like I’m right back in that little camp on that hellish island.

“Paxton is here,” Reggie speaks low in Cal’s ear. “We need to spread out and find him.”

Cal’s eyes widen and he looks quickly from me to his uncle. “It’s going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. How is he dressed?”

“Skull!” I manage to gasp. “Triskel skull! He’s in a gold suit with a black cape.”